Monte Belmonte and Kaliis Smith bring you The Fabulous 413 , a new live, daily radio show and podcast celebrating life in western Massachusetts — and a kind of "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" for grown-ups. Monte and Kaliis will introduce you to the neighbors who make our western Massachusetts the incredible place it is, with a focus on arts and agriculture, cuisine and colleges, history, happenings and whatever the people of The 413 are talking about today.

All the world’s a stage. Or at least a select part of Montague Massachusetts is a stage. At least for the next 3 weeks. The first ever <a href="https://montagueshakespearefestival.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Montague Shakespeare Festival</a> descends upon <a href="https://sheatheater.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Shea Theater</a> and working with the famous Royal Shakespeare Company, this is such stuff that dreams are made on for fans of The Bard. We’ll hear all about the method to the madness of The Montague Shakespeare Festival from Executive Director Kenny Butler and from Fiona Ross from The Royal Shakespeare Company

Word Nerd <a href="https://www.nepm.org/people/emily-brewster" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emily Brewster</a> needs your help in coming up with a word for a category of words that she’s been investigating where the poetic meaning of these words predates the prose

And we’ll hear about how to support local journalism when we talk with two <a href="https://www.reportforamerica.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Report for America</a> journalists-The Springfield Republican’s Greta Jocem and NEPM’s <a href="https://www.nepm.org/people/nirvani-williams" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nirvani Williams</a>

All the world’s a stage. Or at least a select part of Montague Massachusetts is a stage. At least for the next 3 weeks. The first ever Montague Shakespeare Festival descends upon The Shea Theater and working with the famous Royal Shakespeare Company, this is such stuff that dreams are made on for fans of The Bard. We’ll hear all about the method to the madness of The Montague Shakespeare Festival from Executive Director Kenny Butler and from Fiona Ross from The Royal Shakespeare Company
Word Nerd Emily Brewster needs your help in coming up with a word for a category of words that she’s been investigating where the poetic meaning of these words predates the prose
And we’ll hear about how to support local journalism when we talk with two Report for America journalists-The Springfield Republican’s Greta Jocem and NEPM’s Nirvani Williams

A new Shakespeare festival emerges in Montague, Word Nerd Emily Brewster reveals words that evolve backwards (assbackwords), plus a check in with Report For America.

March 20th, 2024: All of Montague a Stage


        We bring the Bay State's own bluegrass legend Peter Rowan to the studio for Live Music Friday, explore one of the oldest running quiz shows in american with Beth Ward host of As Schools Match Wits, enjoy a vertical wine thunderdome at State Street Deli Wine & Spirits, and delve into the work of the late Steve Albini with Time Eriksen and Peter Irvine of Cordelia's Dad who recorded two albums with him. 
      

We bring the Bay State's own bluegrass legend Peter Rowan to the studio for Live Music Friday, explore one of the oldest running quiz shows in american with Beth Ward host of As Schools Match Wits, enjoy a vertical wine thunderdome at State Street Deli Wine & Spirits, and delve into the work of the late Steve Albini with Time Eriksen and Peter Irvine of Cordelia's Dad who recorded two albums with him. 

May 10, 2024: Vertical Legacies


        We're back from vacation with two troubadours from the valley teaming up to bring South American and Iberian guitar styles to the stage at the Parlor Room in Northampton: Tony Silva and Russell Brooks, we reconvene with congressman Jim McGovern to find out not only the latest shenanigans on Capitol HIll but his take on the wave of protests on campuses across the US including at UMass Amherst, and Monte shares what he did on his spring break vacation: talking with Smith students about their study abroad progam in Cordoba. 
      

We're back from vacation with two troubadours from the valley teaming up to bring South American and Iberian guitar styles to the stage at the Parlor Room in Northampton: Tony Silva and Russell Brooks, we reconvene with congressman Jim McGovern to find out not only the latest shenanigans on Capitol HIll but his take on the wave of protests on campuses across the US including at UMass Amherst, and Monte shares what he did on his spring break vacation: talking with Smith students about their study abroad progam in Cordoba. 

May 9, 2024: Many Returns


        We discover the collaborative arts program OneBeat, whose current cohort will perform at Bombyx on Sunday, delve into our local history with the folx behind History Fest at Westfield State University, and the region's own labor history with the documentary "At Sword's Point" which will air on NEPM this weekend. 
      

We discover the collaborative arts program OneBeat, whose current cohort will perform at Bombyx on Sunday, delve into our local history with the folx behind History Fest at Westfield State University, and the region's own labor history with the documentary "At Sword's Point" which will air on NEPM this weekend. 

May 1, 2024: Beats of historic solidarity


        We hand out with rising Americana artist Amythyst Kiah, prepare for Hampshire Pride this weekend with organizers Clay Pearson and Alden Peotter, and check out the connections between animation and classical music with the upcoming program "Bugs Bunny Goes to the Symphony" at the Springfield Symphony Orchestra.
      

April 30, 2024: The pride of symphonic Amythyst


        We hear about a paint recycling program happening this weekend with the Northampton High School Key Club, check in with Senator Elizabeth Warren about some of the hotbed issues on her side of congress, and hear about a monthly poetry open mic night at 10 forward to help keep the National Poetry Month spirit all year long. 
      

We hear about a paint recycling program happening this weekend with the Northampton High School Key Club, check in with Senator Elizabeth Warren about some of the hotbed issues on her side of congress, and hear about a monthly poetry open mic night at 10 forward to help keep the National Poetry Month spirit all year long. 

April 29, 2024: Open Mic for senatorial paints


        We head to the Berkshires to meet a winemaker encouraging everyone to drink more local wines, bring the noisy power trio True Jackie in for Live Music Friday, and bring Mr. Universe in for our chat with the poet laureate of the USA, Ada Limon. 
      

We head to the Berkshires to meet a winemaker encouraging everyone to drink more local wines, bring the noisy power trio True Jackie in for Live Music Friday, and bring Mr. Universe in for our chat with the poet laureate of the USA, Ada Limon. 

April 26, 2024: Europa and a true local drink


        We hear about the Pay it Forward Grant Program with folx from City Space in Easthampton, get a peek at the History of Salsa Event Happening at 33 Hawley in Northampton, and Congressman Jim McGovern finally gets to do some actual governing on Capitol Hill while also keeping an eye on the grown number of protests on college campuses across the US.
      

April 25, 2024: Salsa Forward


        We check out NEPM's Newest Podcst with creator and reporter Karen Brown, find out more about Gateway City Arts recent sale to Alternative Education institution Lighthouse, and our resident wordster, Emily Brewster, untangles a reder question about homonyms. 
      

We check out NEPM's Newest Podcst with creator and reporter Karen Brown, find out more about Gateway City Arts recent sale to Alternative Education institution Lighthouse, and our resident wordster, Emily Brewster, untangles a reder question about homonyms. 

April 24, 2024: Lite Light Secrets


        We meet two of the three generations growing and brewing at Kosinski Farm in Westfield, get a tour and a temperature of the recently re-opened to the public Triplex Cinemas with creative director Ben Elliot, and walk to the beat of the Pittsfield Jazz Fest with Ed Bride of Berkshires Jazz. 
      

We meet two of the three generations growing and brewing at Kosinski Farm in Westfield, get a tour and a temperature of the recently re-opened to the public Triplex Cinemas with creative director Ben Elliot, and walk to the beat of the Pittsfield Jazz Fest with Ed Bride of Berkshires Jazz. 

April 23, 2024: Generational Jazz on Film


        We take a tour of the Springfield Municipal Recycling Facility with advisory board members Susan Waite and Amy Donovan in honor of Earth Day, and stumble into a brand new gem of a pizza spot in Great Barrington at Uva. 
      

We take a tour of the Springfield Municipal Recycling Facility with advisory board members Susan Waite and Amy Donovan in honor of Earth Day, and stumble into a brand new gem of a pizza spot in Great Barrington at Uva. 

April 22, 2024: Pizza di Terra


        We chat with Payton Shubrick of 6 Bricks Dispensary in Springfield about changes to the marijuana landscape in Massachusetts, chat with Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black about the debut of the Spiderwick Chronicles TV series on Roku, and hear about Mary Jane Jones' 4/20 celebration at the Marigold Theater in Easthampton. 
      

We chat with Payton Shubrick of 6 Bricks Dispensary in Springfield about changes to the marijuana landscape in Massachusetts, chat with Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black about the debut of the Spiderwick Chronicles TV series on Roku, and hear about Mary Jane Jones' 4/20 celebration at the Marigold Theater in Easthampton. 

April 19, 2024: Spiderwick & cannabis


        We chat with actor/director/producer Karen Allen about her career and more, head to Hadley to see the 50+ years of history that makes 20 Acre Farm what it is, and check in with US Rep Jim McGovern, who has a lot on his mind this week. 
      

We chat with actor/director/producer Karen Allen about her career and more, head to Hadley to see the 50+ years of history that makes 20 Acre Farm what it is, and check in with US Rep Jim McGovern, who has a lot on his mind this week. 

April 18, 2024: Longevity


        We hear about the history of the Solar Rollers and the wave of rallies and actions they've got planned for Saturday, and hear from poet Alex Woolner about the many ways her imprint Attack Bear Press is trying to get as much poetry into as many hands as possible. 
      

We hear about the history of the Solar Rollers and the wave of rallies and actions they've got planned for Saturday, and hear from poet Alex Woolner about the many ways her imprint Attack Bear Press is trying to get as much poetry into as many hands as possible. 

April 17, 2024: Poetics in protest

For the first time ever in the show’s history, we are venturing outside the four counties of western Massachusetts. But the ties of the 413 are still strong in the places to which we’re headed.

<a href="https://restlessbooks.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Restless Books</a> in Amherst will release <a href="https://restlessbooks.org/bookstore/thebookcensorslibrary" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“The Book Censor’s Library”</a> on April 30th; a speculative fiction novel that wrestles with a wealth of issues relevant to any democracy in crisis. Author <a href="https://www.banipal.co.uk/contributors/960/bothayna--al-essa/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bothanya Al-Essa</a> speaks with us about this, the only book of hers that has not been banned in her home country of Kuwait, about the real life parallels to the book, how opening a bookstore in a nation with only-recently-lessened censorship has been, and the love of literature that has lead to each.

And we head south to the home of the author of one of the most well-known pieces of abolitionist fiction. The <a href="https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Harriet Beecher Stowe Center</a> in Hartford, CT is about to launch a new summer series with it’s event <a href="https://www.harrietbeecherstowecenter.org/programs-learning/salons-at-stowe/garden-of-literacy/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“Garden of Literacy”</a> this weekend. So we chat with executive director, Karen Fisk, director of collections &amp; public programs Cat White, and newly appointed director of interpretation &amp; visitor experience Erika Slocumb, all of whom currently or very recently lived in the 413, about the center’s mission of literary activism, how engaging their community in history can invigorate an area’s civic base, and all the fun things they’ll be getting up to this Saturday in their new event series.

For the first time ever in the show’s history, we are venturing outside the four counties of western Massachusetts. But the ties of the 413 are still strong in the places to which we’re headed.
Restless Books in Amherst will release “The Book Censor’s Library” on April 30th; a speculative fiction novel that wrestles with a wealth of issues relevant to any democracy in crisis. Author Bothanya Al-Essa speaks with us about this, the only book of hers that has not been banned in her home country of Kuwait, about the real life parallels to the book, how opening a bookstore in a nation with only-recently-lessened censorship has been, and the love of literature that has lead to each.
And we head south to the home of the author of one of the most well-known pieces of abolitionist fiction. The Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, CT is about to launch a new summer series with it’s event “Garden of Literacy” this weekend. So we chat with executive director, Karen Fisk, director of collections & public programs Cat White, and newly appointed director of interpretation & visitor experience Erika Slocumb, all of whom currently or very recently lived in the 413, about the center’s mission of literary activism, how engaging their community in history can invigorate an area’s civic base, and all the fun things they’ll be getting up to this Saturday in their new event series.

The staff of the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center join us to talk about their mission and upcoming Garden of Literacy event, and we chat with author Bothayna al-Essa about her book "The Book Censor's Library", recently released by Restless Books. 

April 16, 2024: Go Outside


        We gear up for the Easthampton Film Festival with organizer Chris Ferry and filmmakers Christian Banda & KT Baldassaro, bear witness to and diseminate the newest verstion of the one character show "SUGA" at Double Edge Theater, And Mr. Universe breaks down what we really got to see during the eclipse. 
      

We gear up for the Easthampton Film Festival with organizer Chris Ferry and filmmakers Christian Banda & KT Baldassaro, bear witness to and diseminate the newest verstion of the one character show "SUGA" at Double Edge Theater, And Mr. Universe breaks down what we really got to see during the eclipse. 

April 15, 2024: Redefined


        We hear about the newest iteration of theater production "Across the Ninefold River" with members of the Unnameable Children's Project, gear up to celebrate 4-1-3 day with Liz Rosenberg of The Toy Box in Amherst, prepare ourselves for the tales of Valley Voices Best of  show happening at the Academy of Music, and bring two natural reds to the wine thunderdome at the Leverett Village Co-Op. 
      

We hear about the newest iteration of theater production "Across the Ninefold River" with members of the Unnameable Children's Project, gear up to celebrate 4-1-3 day with Liz Rosenberg of The Toy Box in Amherst, prepare ourselves for the tales of Valley Voices Best of  show happening at the Academy of Music, and bring two natural reds to the wine thunderdome at the Leverett Village Co-Op. 

April 12, 2024: A tale to bridge the valley's gap


        NYT Bestselling author/illustrator/animator Mo Willems shows us around his latest series of sketches, visit one of the largest livestock farms in western Mass at Great Falls Aquaculture, and Congressman Jim McGovern addresses the latest wave of student activism and the health care issues arising in Arizona. 
      

NYT Bestselling author/illustrator/animator Mo Willems shows us around his latest series of sketches, visit one of the largest livestock farms in western Mass at Great Falls Aquaculture, and Congressman Jim McGovern addresses the latest wave of student activism and the health care issues arising in Arizona. 

April 11, 2024: Sketchy fishes


        We hear about the "this LIght of Mine" event for the Childrens Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, discover a new book about the boy from Longmeadow who would become Johnny Appleseed with local author Melissa Cybulski, discuss developments with Merriam-Webster and the idiom "Begs the question" with word nerd Emily Brewster, and revisit our trip to the path of totality with all of it's adventurous moments. 
      

We hear about the "this LIght of Mine" event for the Childrens Advocacy Center of Hampshire County, discover a new book about the boy from Longmeadow who would become Johnny Appleseed with local author Melissa Cybulski, discuss developments with Merriam-Webster and the idiom "Begs the question" with word nerd Emily Brewster, and revisit our trip to the path of totality with all of it's adventurous moments. 

April 10, 2024: Kids question the eclipse

It’s National Poetry Month! And what better way to celebrate than at the home of the area’s most famous, and possibly most prolific, poets!

So we get a quick tour of the <a href="https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emily Dickenson Museum</a>. Located right on Main street in Amherst, the institution has just re-opened the <a href="https://www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org/visit/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Evergreens building to the public</a>. We chat with Executive Director Jane Weld and Senior Programs Director Brooke Steinhauser to not just give us a taste of the poet’s life, but a brief history of the grounds becoming a museum, as well as why having the public bear witness to the restorations occurring is vital. 

One of the many programs that the museum offers is Phosphorescence: a program that evolved during the pandemic to showcase contemporary authors reading their work and more. We bring three poets who have participated in the museum to speak with us as well. <a href="https://nicolemyoung.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicole Young Martin</a>, <a href="https://ericacharis-molling.squarespace.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Erica Charis Molling</a>, and <a href="https://www.salmonfisherpoet.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abigail Chabitnoy</a> each allow us to hear more of their work both on and off the page.

It’s National Poetry Month! And what better way to celebrate than at the home of the area’s most famous, and possibly most prolific, poets!
So we get a quick tour of the Emily Dickenson Museum. Located right on Main street in Amherst, the institution has just re-opened the Evergreens building to the public. We chat with Executive Director Jane Weld and Senior Programs Director Brooke Steinhauser to not just give us a taste of the poet’s life, but a brief history of the grounds becoming a museum, as well as why having the public bear witness to the restorations occurring is vital. 
One of the many programs that the museum offers is Phosphorescence: a program that evolved during the pandemic to showcase contemporary authors reading their work and more. We bring three poets who have participated in the museum to speak with us as well. Nicole Young Martin, Erica Charis Molling, and Abigail Chabitnoy each allow us to hear more of their work both on and off the page.

We broadcast live from the Emily Dickenson Museums to hear the exciting news about their new season and indulge in some of the work of contemporary poets that have been involved in their programming over the years

April 9, 2024: At the Emily Dickenson Museum LIVE

One would think that in a week were we had an unseasonably large nor’easter and an earthquake that we might be a little wary of finishing the time with a total solar eclipse. But it is also the last time this phenomena will be in New England until 2079 so there’s also little else we are thinking of, portents and precidents aside. 

So Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, clues us into some of the big discoveries in science that have only been possible due to research conducted in the small window of an eclipse, including Einstein’s theory of relativity, the discovery of helium, plus some of the things we might learn from the one happening today. 

Word Nerd Emily Brewster, senior editor at Merriam Webster, brings us words adjacent to the eclipse, including some idioms related to the heavenly body, and also makes us a bit sad with the origins of the word itself. 

And we get into a great resource for your kids to discover the occurrence as well. Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla found out all kinds of cool things about eclipses for their most recent episode of "Tumble: Science Podcast for Kids", including their song about it, and as a bonus hear about their upcoming episode about the confluence of Cicadas, another once in a lifetime event. 

And Monte and Kaliis took the day to go to the path of totality themselves. It was a bit of an unexpected adventure, but was it worth it? Totally.

One would think that in a week were we had an unseasonably large nor’easter and an earthquake that we might be a little wary of finishing the time with a total solar eclipse. But it is also the last time this phenomena will be in New England until 2079 so there’s also little else we are thinking of, portents and precidents aside. 
So Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, clues us into some of the big discoveries in science that have only been possible due to research conducted in the small window of an eclipse, including Einstein’s theory of relativity, the discovery of helium, plus some of the things we might learn from the one happening today. 
Word Nerd Emily Brewster, senior editor at Merriam Webster, brings us words adjacent to the eclipse, including some idioms related to the heavenly body, and also makes us a bit sad with the origins of the word itself. 
And we get into a great resource for your kids to discover the occurrence as well. Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla found out all kinds of cool things about eclipses for their most recent episode of "Tumble: Science Podcast for Kids", including their song about it, and as a bonus hear about their upcoming episode about the confluence of Cicadas, another once in a lifetime event. 
And Monte and Kaliis took the day to go to the path of totality themselves. It was a bit of an unexpected adventure, but was it worth it? Totally.

The moon just got in the way of the sun, so we have a whole episode about Eclipses: Mr. Universe talks about some of the science that could only happen because of eclipses, Word Nerd Emily Brewster talks about eclipse oriented words, Lindsay Patterson and Marshall Escamilla discuss the recent Eclipse episode of "Tumble: Science Podcast for Kids", and Monte & Kaliis report back from seeing the phenomena for themselves.  

April 8, 2024: Total Eclipse


        We check in with the folx of the Cancer Connection at their Bed-In, drink superhero wines with the folx at Tip Top Wine Shop in Easthampton, and have a double Live Music Friday with locals Stompbox Trio, and Lady Moon & the Eclipse
      

April 5, 2024: Double music, Top Beds


        We delve into the virtual worlds designed for this weekend's Power of Truths Festival with designer Khalif Neville, hear about pushing the boundaries of chamber music with the folx behind the Connections Concert at Bombyx this Sunday, And McGovern ponders what to do about Israel after the tragedy with World Central Kitchen
      

April 4, 2024:Lands real, imagined, and connected


        Caroline Rose joins us for a check-in before the second night of their residency, Diane and Robert Rollins tell us of the long road to bringing produce and poultry to the region at D & R Farms, Dave Hayes updates us on the slightly unseasonable sky-goings-on, and Word Nerd Emily Brewster sets time markers on our vocabulary with Retronyms. 
      

Caroline Rose joins us for a check-in before the second night of their residency, Diane and Robert Rollins tell us of the long road to bringing produce and poultry to the region at D & R Farms, Dave Hayes updates us on the slightly unseasonable sky-goings-on, and Word Nerd Emily Brewster sets time markers on our vocabulary with Retronyms. 

April 3, 2024: 3 Rs of the snowpocalypse


        We speak with State Senator Jake Olivera about some of the many issues on his agenda and his love of NPR, and we hear about the amalgam of art, history, and education that will make up the third Power of Truths Festival.  
      

We speak with State Senator Jake Olivera about some of the many issues on his agenda and his love of NPR, and we hear about the amalgam of art, history, and education that will make up the third Power of Truths Festival.  

April 2, 2024: The Power and the Senate


        We hear about the $2M gift received by CATA, explore laughter in the 413 with the folx from Happier Valley Comedy, and Mr. Universe tells us about a western Massachusetts tie to eclipses though Emily Dickenson. 
      

We hear about the $2M gift received by CATA, explore laughter in the 413 with the folx from Happier Valley Comedy, and Mr. Universe tells us about a western Massachusetts tie to eclipses though Emily Dickenson. 

April 1, 2024: Dark comedy is an art

The weekend is a great time to explore.

So we’ll encourage you to experience the full gender spectrum and support those on their gender journeys with the Resource and Arts Fair presented by Translate Gender on Sunday, March 31st. It’s not just celebration of the <a href="https://www.state.gov/transgender-day-of-visibility/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Transgender Day of Visibility</a>, but a way to bring communities together for some of the gender affirming needs they may not have access to on a regular basis or be comfortable pursuing in a more public setting. We chat with co-director of Translate Gender, James Shultis and our own digital producer for The Fabulous 413, Ayu Suryawan, who often volunteers with them, about the organization’s mission, and the need to have space to just be you with no strings or qualifiers can be important to youn trans person growing up as well as their caretakers.

Live Music Friday brings the genre malleable, raucously engaging <a href="https://bellasbartok.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bella’s Bartok</a> to the NEPM Studios. They’re performing March 30th at <a href="https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Drake</a> in Amherst, for their first hometown show of the year. We chat with them about their origins, the shift in sound on their latest album, “<a href="https://bellasbartok.bandcamp.com/album/apocalypse-wow" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Apocalypse Wow</a>”, and their efforts <a href="https://wgbh365-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/kaliis_smith_wgbh_org/ESdrxIjvw_9FpOIYmTZ6sioBQTaJDKAYkdlIcL0Dp2uYHA?e=iU9q1q" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">helping to raise funds to aid a friend of theirs escape the conflict in Rafah</a>.

And we’ll get a spectrum in our glasses as well. We head to <a href="https://provisionswine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Provisions</a> in Longmeadow where owners Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis show us the range of flavors possible in Italy, as we pit a north against south for our Wine Thunderdome, not to mention a preview of what can be experience at their<a href="https://provisionswine.com/pages/italian-wine-festival-2024" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Italian Wine Festival later this month</a>

The weekend is a great time to explore.
So we’ll encourage you to experience the full gender spectrum and support those on their gender journeys with the Resource and Arts Fair presented by Translate Gender on Sunday, March 31st. It’s not just celebration of the Transgender Day of Visibility, but a way to bring communities together for some of the gender affirming needs they may not have access to on a regular basis or be comfortable pursuing in a more public setting. We chat with co-director of Translate Gender, James Shultis and our own digital producer for The Fabulous 413, Ayu Suryawan, who often volunteers with them, about the organization’s mission, and the need to have space to just be you with no strings or qualifiers can be important to youn trans person growing up as well as their caretakers.
Live Music Friday brings the genre malleable, raucously engaging Bella’s Bartok to the NEPM Studios. They’re performing March 30th at The Drake in Amherst, for their first hometown show of the year. We chat with them about their origins, the shift in sound on their latest album, “Apocalypse Wow”, and their efforts helping to raise funds to aid a friend of theirs escape the conflict in Rafah.
And we’ll get a spectrum in our glasses as well. We head to Provisions in Longmeadow where owners Benson Hyde and Bruce McAmis show us the range of flavors possible in Italy, as we pit a north against south for our Wine Thunderdome, not to mention a preview of what can be experience at their Italian Wine Festival later this month

We hear about Translate Gender's upcoming Resource and Art Fair, Pit north vs south in Italy with Provisions for the Wine Thunderdome, and have live Music Friday with the multi-genred stage behemoth that is Bella's Bartok.

March 29, 2024: Vaudevillian spectrums


        Word Nerd Emily Brewster doubles down into the history of the word "ditto", the MIFA Victory Players combine the music of Amy Beach and the poetry of Emily Dickenson in a program that will air on NEPM Classical this weekend, we learn about the first woman to play professional baseball with author Martha Ackmann, and Congressman Jim McGovern bemoans our inability to truly hear each other and have discourse. 
      

Word Nerd Emily Brewster doubles down into the history of the word "ditto", the MIFA Victory Players combine the music of Amy Beach and the poetry of Emily Dickenson in a program that will air on NEPM Classical this weekend, we learn about the first woman to play professional baseball with author Martha Ackmann, and Congressman Jim McGovern bemoans our inability to truly hear each other and have discourse. 

March 28, 2024: Agree and engage once again. 

It’s a triumphant return of the arts. Not that they ever left per se, but we are packing a bunch into this show. 

And honestly that return wasn’t certain in some cases. The strike of the UAW at Mass MoCA as events and festivals planned at that institution loomed ever larger on our calendars had everyone wondering what the future might hold for the museum. But as we check in with NEPM Reporter Jill Kaufmann, we discover that progress is indeed being made; not just in North Adams but in Holyoke with their receivership as well. 

It’s in an author making a visit to the valley to celebrate a new book. Ayize Jama-Everett has a storied career to be sure. He’s currently touring a documentary he’s co-produced on the use of psychedelics in the Black community, but making a stop in Easthampton at Book Moon on March 28th to celebrate the release the final book in his “Liminal” series. We speak with the man of many hats including author/professor about self starting his literary career, his inspirations, and connecting the future with history in all of his works.

And it’s in a creative rejuvenation as well. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has just created a new position of Artistic Advisor, and the first to hold that title will be Mei-Ann Chen. We speak with the maestra as well as president and CEO of the SSO, Paul Lambert, about her previous work with the symphony, what this means for the direction and development of the organization, and her call to conducting.

It’s a triumphant return of the arts. Not that they ever left per se, but we are packing a bunch into this show. 
And honestly that return wasn’t certain in some cases. The strike of the UAW at Mass MoCA as events and festivals planned at that institution loomed ever larger on our calendars had everyone wondering what the future might hold for the museum. But as we check in with NEPM Reporter Jill Kaufmann, we discover that progress is indeed being made; not just in North Adams but in Holyoke with their receivership as well. 
It’s in an author making a visit to the valley to celebrate a new book. Ayize Jama-Everett has a storied career to be sure. He’s currently touring a documentary he’s co-produced on the use of psychedelics in the Black community, but making a stop in Easthampton at Book Moon on March 28th to celebrate the release the final book in his “Liminal” series. We speak with the man of many hats including author/professor about self starting his literary career, his inspirations, and connecting the future with history in all of his works.
And it’s in a creative rejuvenation as well. The Springfield Symphony Orchestra has just created a new position of Artistic Advisor, and the first to hold that title will be Mei-Ann Chen. We speak with the maestra as well as president and CEO of the SSO, Paul Lambert, about her previous work with the symphony, what this means for the direction and development of the organization, and her call to conducting.

We speak with author Ayize Jama-Everett about his Liminal Series before his appearance at Book Moon in Easthampton, meet the new artistic advisor for the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, and get an update on the strike at Mass MoCA as well as Holyoke's School receivership with NEPM's Jill Kaufmann.

March 27, 2024: Arts, culture, and the future. 

There’s a lot in our pasts in which we are seeing merit. 

For instance the Szymonik family who stepped away from their past lives in the early stages of the pandemic to seek something a little more connected to the land. And where they landed is Granby on the grounds of <a href="https://www.deerecreekfarm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deere Creek Farm</a>. We speak with Naomi Szymonik about the intense diversity at the farm, from livestock, to flower CSAs, to event space, and why their various roads to agrotourism make their endeavor more sound. 

The Biden Administration has just issued<a href="https://u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.gqh-2BaxUzlo7XKIuSly0rC3gYgE-2BQ6-2F8Sk8u-2FjnhDtuo3u7fDADy-2B-2B025e7CJtq0VypSn0dwfdpdGtZSjv04XU1qvxcVvAJTihf28Ra3FJRmijR-2BHNKeEWy7uYVBq6YNx7MyDysBtvHrfAR29He25UJsVzDyVDwOjPFdbkmXAY14-3DZxEi_NSUtxWWImNTtVUDlBb1VsIZz7YhnI4TOPpU-2F8iQY4PDF9IurLoQGrLFWzus6cDp4OUyKDOJ3PevmM-2BrS6-2FwW9zvCcFHY8AMcB-2F7-2FLtQaTW-2FiM8h8WIVWW-2FhIiSUne80aPpEOhBZNvytqjydHxD5Lx-2Bn7zFgsk2ALryzu9kddS6u609hzJOCh4dW7AGBOXm9ekAwyn8x0D-2Bn-2F9XUonxqxK6GjiskT5xcgROsbuJcCU5NCMl1WC0s6-2BXDShzmhxc0cymnJQNLlqP5ATuEtho5VZT-2BaAowiGgddWw-2B3x07xts13XK68OPtzEYdmvJcZiBJIFfDodzBDkfBA21PSwGidHQ-3D-3D" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> new tailpipe pollution limits</a> that could transform the automobile market. But is this too little too late, and will it have a greater impact on the current auto industry than believed? As the driver of an electric car, Monte speaks with professors <a href="https://ag.umass.edu/people/dwayne-breger" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dwayne Breger</a> and <a href="https://www.umass.edu/news/news-events/umass-expert-profile?umass_experts_profile_id=erin.baker" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Erin Baker</a> of UMass, as well as the institution’s director of transporation, <a href="https://lgbtqstem.com/2016/03/17/an-interview-with-connie-englert/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Connie Englert,</a> about how they see the present of electric cars shifting into our future, in Western Mass and beyond. 

And Kaliis is back from galavanting in Knoxville, Tennesee. We’ll ask how her schedule at the <a href="https://bigearsfestival.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Big Ears Festival</a> went, highs and lows and what she actually thought of seeing <a href="https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/andre-3000-new-blue-sun/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Andre 3000’s flute playing</a> live.

There’s a lot in our pasts in which we are seeing merit. 
For instance the Szymonik family who stepped away from their past lives in the early stages of the pandemic to seek something a little more connected to the land. And where they landed is Granby on the grounds of Deere Creek Farm. We speak with Naomi Szymonik about the intense diversity at the farm, from livestock, to flower CSAs, to event space, and why their various roads to agrotourism make their endeavor more sound. 
The Biden Administration has just issued new tailpipe pollution limits that could transform the automobile market. But is this too little too late, and will it have a greater impact on the current auto industry than believed? As the driver of an electric car, Monte speaks with professors Dwayne Breger and Erin Baker of UMass, as well as the institution’s director of transporation, Connie Englert, about how they see the present of electric cars shifting into our future, in Western Mass and beyond. 
And Kaliis is back from galavanting in Knoxville, Tennesee. We’ll ask how her schedule at the Big Ears Festival went, highs and lows and what she actually thought of seeing Andre 3000’s flute playing live.

We get a visit from Naomi Szymonik of Deere Creek Farm to hear about their pandemic built agrotourism and more, get into some of the highs and lows of the current run of electric cars in light of the recent Biden administration's plans for emissions, and Kaliis returns from the Big Ears Festival with stories to tell. 

March 26, 2024: Electric return to the land

We’ll hear from the <a href="https://www.massfarmtoschool.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Massachusetts Farm to School</a> panel with Irene Shiang Li, food justice advocate and co-founder of <a href="https://meimeidumplings.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mei Mei Dumplings</a> in Boston; Shavel’le Olivier, the executive director of <a href="https://www.mattapanfoodandfit.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition</a>; and Easthampton’s Ollie Perrault, a seventeen year old climate activist, farmer, director of <a href="http://climateactionnowma.org/youth-climate-action-now-2/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Youth Climate Action Now</a>, and founding member of Maura Healey's advisory <a href="https://www.mass.gov/news/governor-healey-climate-chief-hoffer-announce-creation-of-youth-climate-council" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Youth Climate Council</a>. These folx are here to tell us more about bringing fresh food and food education to our local communities. 

Plus, we invite western Massachusetts author <a href="https://www.karenchase.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Karen Chase</a> to talk about her new book “<a href="https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/H/bo214795031.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">History is Embarrassing</a>.” We hear about the writing process and the importance of retelling history, public or private, through diverse and personal perspectives, even when it’s embarrassing!

And, we’ll explore the cosmos with Mr. Universe! There have been talks to build a railroad on the moon, and Hampshire professor <a href="https://www.hampshire.edu/academics/faculty/salman-hameed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Salman Hameed</a> tells us who would do it and why.

We’ll hear from the Massachusetts Farm to School panel with Irene Shiang Li, food justice advocate and co-founder of Mei Mei Dumplings in Boston; Shavel’le Olivier, the executive director of Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition; and Easthampton’s Ollie Perrault, a seventeen year old climate activist, farmer, director of Youth Climate Action Now, and founding member of Maura Healey's advisory Youth Climate Council. These folx are here to tell us more about bringing fresh food and food education to our local communities. 
Plus, we invite western Massachusetts author Karen Chase to talk about her new book “History is Embarrassing.” We hear about the writing process and the importance of retelling history, public or private, through diverse and personal perspectives, even when it’s embarrassing!
And, we’ll explore the cosmos with Mr. Universe! There have been talks to build a railroad on the moon, and Hampshire professor Salman Hameed tells us who would do it and why.

Moon justice, food justice and an embarrassing history.

March 25, 2024: Railroad Moon, Farm to School and Embarrassing History

We are joined by the resident Swiftie and director of science at the <a href="https://springfieldmuseums.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Springfield Museums</a>, Jenny Powers, to talk about the <a href="https://springfieldmuseums.org/press-release/new-planetarium-show-celebrating-1989-taylors-version/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">new planetarium</a> show to feature “1989 -Taylor’s Version” every Saturday afternoon from Mar. 23 to May 18.

For this week's Thunderdome, we join Michael Quinlin at <a href="https://tableandvine.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Table and Vine</a> to taste the “sun, stone, sea, and wind” of the Mediterranean. We choose which bottle best captures the power of the region's warm waters and sunshine.

And, it’s Live Music Friday and we welcome rapper, podcaster and graphic novelist <a href="https://planetablu.com/meet-tem-blessed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tem Blessed</a> ahead of his gig at the <a href="https://www.thedrakeamherst.org/events/tem-blessed" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drake in Amherst tonight</a>. We hear about his message of social justice and sustainability to inspire positive change and global responsibility.

We are joined by the resident Swiftie and director of science at the Springfield Museums, Jenny Powers, to talk about the new planetarium show to feature “1989 -Taylor’s Version” every Saturday afternoon from Mar. 23 to May 18.
For this week's Thunderdome, we join Michael Quinlin at Table and Vine to taste the “sun, stone, sea, and wind” of the Mediterranean. We choose which bottle best captures the power of the region's warm waters and sunshine.
And, it’s Live Music Friday and we welcome rapper, podcaster and graphic novelist Tem Blessed ahead of his gig at the Drake in Amherst tonight. We hear about his message of social justice and sustainability to inspire positive change and global responsibility.

Swift, Satiated and Blessed

March 22, 2024: Swift, Satiated and Blessed

<a href="https://fhcrconference.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference</a> brings together people who share a commitment to protecting and furthering the rights of all Americans, both regionally and nationwide. We invite conference hosts John Fisher, fair housing coordinator for <a href="https://www.wayfinders.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Way Finders</a>, and Shaundell Diaz, entry coordinator for <a href="https://www.threecountycoc.communityaction.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three County Continuum of Care</a>, to tell us more about the conference and how folx can come together to effectuate change on both a local and national level.

Tonight at 9, NEPM TV will air a new documentary, “<a href="https://www.smith.edu/news-events/news/where-i-became-south-africa-silver-screen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Where I Became</a>,” that explores the personal journeys of a group of Smith students who left their homes in South Africa to pursue their dreams. We are joined by those alums, Jane Dawson Shang ‘82 and and filmmaker Council Brandon, who is also a Smithie, to tell us more about the film.

And, we’re McGoverning with <a href="https://mcgovern.house.gov/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rep. Jim McGovern</a> and he touches on the end of the<a href="https://www.nepm.org/regional-news/2024-03-15/protesters-camp-out-in-rep-mcgoverns-office-calling-for-a-more-forceful-position-on-gaza" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> occupation of his Northampton office</a>, his face to face with the president on St. Patrick’s Day, and whether or not the government shuts down this weekend.

The Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference brings together people who share a commitment to protecting and furthering the rights of all Americans, both regionally and nationwide. We invite conference hosts John Fisher, fair housing coordinator for Way Finders, and Shaundell Diaz, entry coordinator for Three County Continuum of Care, to tell us more about the conference and how folx can come together to effectuate change on both a local and national level.
Tonight at 9, NEPM TV will air a new documentary, “Where I Became,” that explores the personal journeys of a group of Smith students who left their homes in South Africa to pursue their dreams. We are joined by those alums, Jane Dawson Shang ‘82 and and filmmaker Council Brandon, who is also a Smithie, to tell us more about the film.
And, we’re McGoverning with Rep. Jim McGovern and he touches on the end of the occupation of his Northampton office, his face to face with the president on St. Patrick’s Day, and whether or not the government shuts down this weekend.

The Fair Housing and Civil Rights Conference, a new documentary, “Where I Became,” and Congressman Jim McGovern

Mar. 21, 2024: Finding a way home

It’s more than just legacy that we discover by looking at the past.

Sometimes, we see a way forwards. What started as an orchard in 188, evolved into a retail market in 1962, and has continued to expand into what we now know as <a href="https://atkinsfarms.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Atkins Farms Country Market</a>. Although the original orchard is no longer attached to the retail store, the location is still dedicated to providing local produce and prepared foods to meet the needs of the community. We chat with the Jen Adams, Andy Ladas, and Kelly Lannon about building a healthy work community, the importance of connecting with local farms, and the power of cider donuts.

Occasionally, it reveals things we missed. Local historian and archivist for Springfield Museums <a href="https://freedomstoriespv.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cliff McCarthy </a>drop by the studios to tell us of more Black figures from Western Massachusetts history including <a href="https://websites.umass.edu/pvhn-blackhistory/aaron-nazro-of-the-colored-military-corps/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aaron Nazro</a> and the <a href="https://freedomstoriespv.wordpress.com/league-of-gileadites/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">League of Gileadites</a>, and give some insight how you too could become part of the process to make these hidden figures in time more visible to more folx.

If we’re lucky, those looks through time take us much further than we would have believed. Such is the case at <a href="https://downtownsounds.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Downtown Sounds</a> in Northampton, where a chance appraisal of an old Martin Guitar lead Aaron Borucki through more channels in American luthier history than he could have imagined. We talk with him about the cascade of discoveries he encountered surrounding the<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C4dKL36riB6/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> 1868 instrument</a>, and what impact learning about the guitar has on his outlook as well as the store’s.

It’s more than just legacy that we discover by looking at the past.
Sometimes, we see a way forwards. What started as an orchard in 188, evolved into a retail market in 1962, and has continued to expand into what we now know as Atkins Farms Country Market. Although the original orchard is no longer attached to the retail store, the location is still dedicated to providing local produce and prepared foods to meet the needs of the community. We chat with the Jen Adams, Andy Ladas, and Kelly Lannon about building a healthy work community, the importance of connecting with local farms, and the power of cider donuts.
Occasionally, it reveals things we missed. Local historian and archivist for Springfield Museums Cliff McCarthy drop by the studios to tell us of more Black figures from Western Massachusetts history including Aaron Nazro and the League of Gileadites, and give some insight how you too could become part of the process to make these hidden figures in time more visible to more folx.
If we’re lucky, those looks through time take us much further than we would have believed. Such is the case at Downtown Sounds in Northampton, where a chance appraisal of an old Martin Guitar lead Aaron Borucki through more channels in American luthier history than he could have imagined. We talk with him about the cascade of discoveries he encountered surrounding the 1868 instrument, and what impact learning about the guitar has on his outlook as well as the store’s.

We get donuts, pie, and more at Atkins Farm Country Market, talk with the folx at Downtown Sounds about their recent deep dive into the history of a very unique guitar, find out more about figures in western Massachusetts' past with local historian Cliff McCarthy, and a big festival out of the 413 that'll see one of the show's hosts this weekend. 

March 19, 2024: March of time.

Sometimes it feels like we’re making our own adages about things being lost and found.

In the instance of Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, it’s with the ongoing question of extraterrestrials and whether they’ve visited us or not. The Department of Defense has recently released a paper on this subject with perhaps disappointing results depending on which side of this coin one finds themselves on. We look at how those findings might fit with the bigger picture of speculating on life in the cosmos. 

Where Holyoke is concerned, its in a housing project forgotten over the years. We speak with local historian and PhD candidate Erika Slocumb about her podcast “Drawing Liberty Park from Memory” where she speaks with folx from the local black community about the Liberty Park Housing Project, a federal initiative that became the only public housing that allowed black people to live within it. Through that lens we’re able to discover more about all of our communities and the traces that they leave over the years. 

And it’s being found in the changing of hands. The <a href="https://www.kitchengardenfarm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kitchen Garden Farm</a> has seen a shift in leadership, where two of the longtime workers have now taken over the operation. We head to Sunderland to talk with Max Traunstein and Lilly Israel about the triumphs and challenges of stepping into their new roles as owners, including a bit of <a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-two-employees-purchase-kitchen-garden-farm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fundraising they’re doing to help with the closing costs for the endeavor</a>. And then of course, we have to see how the giardinera gets made, because it’s too delicious not to do so.

Sometimes it feels like we’re making our own adages about things being lost and found.
In the instance of Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, it’s with the ongoing question of extraterrestrials and whether they’ve visited us or not. The Department of Defense has recently released a paper on this subject with perhaps disappointing results depending on which side of this coin one finds themselves on. We look at how those findings might fit with the bigger picture of speculating on life in the cosmos. 
Where Holyoke is concerned, its in a housing project forgotten over the years. We speak with local historian and PhD candidate Erika Slocumb about her podcast “Drawing Liberty Park from Memory” where she speaks with folx from the local black community about the Liberty Park Housing Project, a federal initiative that became the only public housing that allowed black people to live within it. Through that lens we’re able to discover more about all of our communities and the traces that they leave over the years. 
And it’s being found in the changing of hands. The Kitchen Garden Farm has seen a shift in leadership, where two of the longtime workers have now taken over the operation. We head to Sunderland to talk with Max Traunstein and Lilly Israel about the triumphs and challenges of stepping into their new roles as owners, including a bit of fundraising they’re doing to help with the closing costs for the endeavor. And then of course, we have to see how the giardinera gets made, because it’s too delicious not to do so.

Local HIstorian Erika Slocumb talks to us about her research into the Liberty Heights housing project of Holyoke, we chat with the new owners of Kitchen Garden Farm in Sunderland about the change in leadership, and Mr. Universe breaks down a recent Department of Defense paper on extraterrestrial life.  

March 18, 2024:Alien gardens of liberty


        We get another glimps of the Back Porch Festival with Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem who'll perform twice in the event's run, check out the new tanglewood season with conductor of the Boston Pops Keith Lockhart, and make the wine thunderdome into a battle of north vs. south with white burgundies at State Street Deli, WIne & Spirits. 
      

We get another glimps of the Back Porch Festival with Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem who'll perform twice in the event's run, check out the new tanglewood season with conductor of the Boston Pops Keith Lockhart, and make the wine thunderdome into a battle of north vs. south with white burgundies at State Street Deli, WIne & Spirits. 

March 15, 2024: Tangled burgundy Daisy


        We hear about Emily Dickenson's Irish connection with Rosemary Caine and folx connected with her work "Margaret Maher and the Celtification of Emily DIckenson", talk tree gold with the MAssachusetts Maple association president Keith Bardwell in Whately, check in with congressman Jim McGovern about Capitol Hill and the recent "visitors" to his office, and eat pie, because it's Pi Day. 
      

We hear about Emily Dickenson's Irish connection with Rosemary Caine and folx connected with her work "Margaret Maher and the Celtification of Emily DIckenson", talk tree gold with the MAssachusetts Maple association president Keith Bardwell in Whately, check in with congressman Jim McGovern about Capitol Hill and the recent "visitors" to his office, and eat pie, because it's Pi Day. 

March 14, 2024: Circumference


        We learn how to play the bagpipes (sorta!) with Tina Harkness and Rick Rabe of the Springfield Kiltie Band, sit with Hector Flores and Denise Carlos of Las Cafeteras who are headed to Northampton for the Back Porch Festival, and learn the proper places to put prepositions with our resident wordster, Emily Brewster of Merriam Webster
      

March 13, 2024: Sounds about right

It’s inevitable that new paths be forged.

We see it in the 71 year tradition that has become the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s grown from a one day celebration of the Irish community, to a two day extravaganza recognized by the Library of Congress. Committee president Hayley Dunn joins us to talk about the evolution of the parade, and her role within it, as they gear up for the culmination of all their hard work this weekend in the Paper City. 

We see it in a place that we know well, that is now facing a labor standstill. The members of the UAW that work at Mass MoCA have been on strike for the past week, after 4 months of stalled negotiations. But this conflict and lack of resolution has repercussions that are reverberating far past the museum’s campus. NEPM’s Jill Kaufman explains some of the nuances involved as the stalemate continues. 

And it’s in what the future holds. A recent series of connected articles in Scientific American and Nature have looked at population projections for American towns and cities in the year 2100, and the generalized numbers are not looking great for rural Massachusetts. In fact the list in the article published in Mass Live about the findings cites an overwhelming number of Franklin County municipalities at the top of the list for population decline. So we chat with the trio of legislators who penned a retort to that article about “Ghost Towns”, listing 11 ways we as a commonwealth could address the issues these articles brought up. State Senator Jo Comerford, and State Representatives Natalie Blais and Susannah Whipps outline some of their concerns from the list, which is starting to gain traction on Beacon Hill.

It’s inevitable that new paths be forged.
We see it in the 71 year tradition that has become the Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s grown from a one day celebration of the Irish community, to a two day extravaganza recognized by the Library of Congress. Committee president Hayley Dunn joins us to talk about the evolution of the parade, and her role within it, as they gear up for the culmination of all their hard work this weekend in the Paper City. 
We see it in a place that we know well, that is now facing a labor standstill. The members of the UAW that work at Mass MoCA have been on strike for the past week, after 4 months of stalled negotiations. But this conflict and lack of resolution has repercussions that are reverberating far past the museum’s campus.  NEPM’s Jill Kaufman explains some of the nuances involved as the stalemate continues. 
And it’s in what the future holds. A recent series of connected articles in Scientific American and Nature have looked at population projections for American towns and cities in the year 2100, and the generalized numbers are not looking great for rural Massachusetts. In fact the list in the article published in Mass Live about the findings cites an overwhelming number of Franklin County municipalities at the top of the list for population decline. So we chat with the trio of legislators who penned a retort to that article about “Ghost Towns”, listing 11 ways we as a commonwealth could address the issues these articles brought up. State Senator Jo Comerford, and State Representatives Natalie Blais and Susannah Whipps outline some of their concerns from the list, which is starting to gain traction on Beacon Hill.

We hear about the ongoing strike at Mass MoCA with NEPM reporter Jill Kaufmann, talk with state legislators Jo Comerford, Natalie Blais, and Susannah Whipps, and hear about the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade events with committee president Hayley Dunn. 

March 12, 2024: New survival tactics

Sometimes things we don’t expect come together. 

Like entirely new artistic direction. Musician Caroline Rose is preparing for a 2 night residency at Bombyx in Florence, expanding her latest album “The Art of Forgetting” with performances backed by the Metropolis Ensemble. We explore the coincidence of losing their grandmother plus a literal and figurative breakup that caused them to explore the nature of grief in song, and what going to the Grammy’s is like. 

And Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, has a missing neutron star from Supernova 1987, Ramadan and it’s shifting end, and the recent Ocsars all converge on his horizons.

Sometimes things we don’t expect come together. 
Like entirely new artistic direction. Musician Caroline Rose is preparing for a 2 night residency at Bombyx in Florence, expanding her latest album “The Art of Forgetting” with performances backed by the Metropolis Ensemble. We explore the coincidence of losing their grandmother plus a literal and figurative breakup that caused them to explore the nature of grief in song, and what going to the Grammy’s is like. 
And Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, has a missing neutron star from Supernova 1987, Ramadan and it’s shifting end, and the recent Ocsars all converge on his horizons.

We chat with rocker Caroline Rose, who's turned down the volume and upped the empathy for her latest album and upcoming residency at Bombyx, and Mr. Universe, Salman Hameed, discusses the conjuction of the Oscars, Ramadan, and a supernova with a missing neutron star. 

March 11, 2024: Confluence

Music, wine, and a movie sounds like a good time, right?

Sometimes, you gotta take that good time on the road. We heard about Juicebox from our Franklin County Wine Friend and sommelier Ken Washburn, who mentioned it’s opening as he opened his oldest bottle for us to try. We are always down for a field trip, so we make the journey to Shelburne Falls to visit this tiny gem of a wine bar and pit its amazing list of low intervention wines against each other for our Wine Thunderdome, which also gets a surprise guest!

On occasion, you’re the good time itself. Dennis Crommett brings is very sweet and comfy sounds as a singer songwriter to the studio for Live Music Friday. We figure his upcoming set a the Back Porch Festival next week might lean heavily on his latest album “Get Gone'“ but we also get to be curious with the guitarist about the differences in playing for oneself, as opposed to the valley mainstays he’s also a part of: Winterpills and Spanish for Hitchhiking.

And the Oscars are this weekend, and even though Kaliis has seen nearly none of the nominees, we get to ask some local figures who are a bit more involved with them about their picks and how important the awards can be. Filmmaker and actual academy member Larry Hott gives us some insight to the voting and viewing process, as well as what the actual award ceremony is like, while Amherst Cinemas programming director George Myers talks about how this period of time can be crucial to smaller community movie houses.

Music, wine, and a movie sounds like a good time, right?
Sometimes, you gotta take that good time on the road. We heard about Juicebox from our Franklin County Wine Friend and sommelier Ken Washburn, who mentioned it’s opening as he opened his oldest bottle for us to try. We are always down for a field trip, so we make the journey to Shelburne Falls to visit this tiny gem of a wine bar and pit its amazing list of low intervention wines against each other for our Wine Thunderdome, which also gets a surprise guest!
On occasion, you’re the good time itself. Dennis Crommett brings is very sweet and comfy sounds as a singer songwriter to the studio for Live Music Friday. We figure his upcoming set a the Back Porch Festival next week might lean heavily on his latest album “Get Gone'“ but we also get to be curious with the guitarist about the differences in playing for oneself, as opposed to the valley mainstays he’s also a part of: Winterpills and Spanish for Hitchhiking.
And the Oscars are this weekend, and even though Kaliis has seen nearly none of the nominees, we get to ask some local figures who are a bit more involved with them about their picks and how important the awards can be. Filmmaker and actual academy member Larry Hott gives us some insight to the voting and viewing process, as well as what the actual award ceremony is like, while Amherst Cinemas programming director George Myers talks about how this period of time can be crucial to smaller community movie houses.

We have Live Music Friday with Dennis Crommett who'll play the Back Porch Festival next week, Talk about the Oscars with Academy Member and filmmaker Larry Hott and Amherst Cinemas Programming Director George Myers, and take our Franklin County Wine Friend Sommalier Ken Washburn to Juicbox in Shelburne Falls for the Thunderdome. 

March 8, 2024: Sounds like a party

Collaboration can be magical, it’s true.

We see it in a friendship that bloomed online and is benefiting a community facing agricultural crisis.Chef Neftali Duran talks about a fundraiser for Proyecto Rosenda. In addition to letting us know <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C3G8HItMIK_/?img_index=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">which Mezcal brands genuinely benefit the indigenous community that invented the spirit</a>, we hear about how the non-profit he started to aid the area in reforestation, crop diversity, and climate change resilience is doing, and how Laura Reed got involved in wanting to help.

There’s the amazing collaboration of promoters and musicians that are doing their best to expand the ears of the listeners of Western Mass. This weekend the Music CSA program Secret Planet hosts the festival An Almost Spring Weekender at Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, which will bring DJs, Bands and music makers from all over the world to the Berkshires. We chat with organizer Edo Mor, and have a performance by one of the band that is not only playing the festival, but at an additional show at The Drake on March 7th: Orchestra Gold. 

And our weekly chat with Congressman Jim McGovern delves into some of the more tedious aspects of his legislative calling, namely the State of the Union Address.

Collaboration can be magical, it’s true.
We see it in a friendship that bloomed online and is benefiting a community facing agricultural crisis.Chef Neftali Duran talks about a fundraiser for Proyecto Rosenda. In addition to letting us know which Mezcal brands genuinely benefit the indigenous community that invented the spirit, we hear about how the non-profit he started to aid the area in reforestation, crop diversity, and climate change resilience is doing, and how Laura Reed got involved in wanting to help.
There’s the amazing collaboration of promoters and musicians that are doing their best to expand the ears of the listeners of Western Mass. This weekend the Music CSA program Secret Planet hosts the festival An Almost Spring Weekender at Race Brook Lodge in Sheffield, which will bring DJs, Bands and music makers from all over the world to the Berkshires. We chat with organizer Edo Mor, and have a performance by one of the band that is not only playing the festival, but at an additional show at The Drake on March 7th: Orchestra Gold. 
And our weekly chat with Congressman Jim McGovern delves into some of the more tedious aspects of his legislative calling, namely the State of the Union Address.

We hear about the Almost Spring Weekender series hosted in Sheffield by local Music CSA Secret Planet, get live music from Orchestra Gold who'll be performing at the event, hear about another music event that we'll benefit a climate resilience program in Oaxaca with Neftali Duran, and have our weekly chat with Jim McGovern. 

March 7, 2024: Mutual Magic


        We sit with all-around food justice championer Liz O'Gilvie who is taking part in CISA's storytelling event Field Notes this Sunday, hear about the 40+ year legacy of Girls Inc of the Valley with Jess Colson, and get into a listener question about resurging pronounciations with resident wordster Emily Brewster
      

March 6, 2024: Girls to the Front

It’s an emotional rollercoaster, today’s show.

First, the ups: <a href="https://www.backporchfest.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Back Porch Festival</a> is headed back to Northampton next weekend, March 15-17. Last year the event expanded to include more music, more venues, and more genres than ever before and <a href="https://www.signaturesoundspresents.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Signature Sounds</a> is keeping that momentum up this year with the most content we’ve ever seen. Jim Olsen, joins us to talk about the good musical trouble the organization is getting up to with musicians from near and far this weekend.

The downs are twin flames. <a href="https://www.redfirefarm.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Red Fire Farm</a> suffered incredible losses due to a blazing inferno in the middle of February at their Granby location. Despite the destruction of their barn, farmstand, a greenhouse, and more from the blaze, their farming life continues, especially at this busy time of year for folx in agriculture. We take a visit to the site of the fire with proprietors Ryan and Sarah Voiland to talk about what happened, how they’re proceeding, and how the community and state can <a href="https://www.redfirefarm.com/about/donate-to-red-fire-farm/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">help them to endure.</a>

And one that straddles. Winners of NPR’s 2017 <a href="https://tinydeskcontest.npr.org/2024/stay-tuned/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tiny Desk Contest</a>, <a href="https://www.tankandthebangas.com/#/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tank &amp; The Bangas</a> are currently on tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of their first album “Think Tank”. They’ve come a long long way from those open poetry mic nights and we talk with Tarriona “Tank” Ball about the journey that they’ve taken and what the future holds for their ever rising star.

It’s an emotional rollercoaster, today’s show.
First, the ups: The Back Porch Festival is headed back to Northampton next weekend, March 15-17. Last year the event expanded to include more music, more venues, and more genres than ever before and Signature Sounds is keeping that momentum up this year with the most content we’ve ever seen. Jim Olsen, joins us to talk about the good musical trouble the organization is getting up to with musicians from near and far this weekend.
The downs are twin flames. Red Fire Farm suffered incredible losses due to a blazing inferno in the middle of February at their Granby location. Despite the destruction of their barn, farmstand, a greenhouse, and more from the blaze, their farming life continues, especially at this busy time of year for folx in agriculture. We take a visit to the site of the fire with proprietors Ryan and Sarah Voiland to talk about what happened, how they’re proceeding, and how the community and state can help them to endure.
And one that straddles. Winners of NPR’s 2017 Tiny Desk Contest, Tank & The Bangas are currently on tour celebrating the 10th anniversary of their first album “Think Tank”. They’ve come a long long way from those open poetry mic nights and we talk with Tarriona “Tank” Ball about the journey that they’ve taken and what the future holds for their ever rising star.

We head to Granby to check on our friends at Red Fire Farm who suffered great losses due to a fire last month, chat with Tarriona "Tank" Ball of Tank & The Bangas just before their sold out show at the Drake this evening, and get a preview of next week's Back Porch Festival with Jim Olsen of Signature Sounds. 

March 5, 2024: Spring equals renewal

It’s not that we’re seeing double, but we are getting things in twos.

There has been a wave of municipalities calling for ceasefires regarding the conflicts between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. The Amherst town council is poised to vote on one this very evening. But how effective are measures like these in a domestic or international context? We get two different approaches and opinions on this from the Leyla Moushabeck, Uri Straus, and Josna Rege from Amherst 4 Ceasefire as well as Amherst Town councilor and sponsor of the resolution Pat De Angelis, and from Owen Zaret, secretary of the <a href="https://jewishwesternmass.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jewish Federation of Western Mass</a> about each of their views on approaching what one town can do to confront the ongoing struggles in Gaza.

There’s the correlation between a classic piece of American Fiction and one western Massachusetts woman’s lineage as well. Author Mickey Rathbun has just released <a href="http://whiteriverpress.com/index.php/catalog/mickey-rathbun/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">“The Real Gatsby: George Gordon Moore-A Granddaughter's Memoir”</a> about the very compelling correlation between the work of fiction and the real-life story of her grandfather. We chat about discovering this story and what those parallels mean to her today. 

And there’s sequels of course, even when they aren’t really sequels. Which is to say that Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, saw Dune this weekend and has some thoughts to share on the subject.

It’s not that we’re seeing double, but we are getting things in twos.
There has been a wave of municipalities calling for ceasefires regarding the conflicts between Israel and Palestinians in Gaza. The Amherst town council is poised to vote on one this very evening. But how effective are measures like these in a domestic or international context? We get two different approaches and opinions on this from the Leyla Moushabeck, Uri Straus, and Josna Rege from Amherst 4 Ceasefire as well as Amherst Town councilor and sponsor of the resolution Pat De Angelis, and from Owen Zaret, secretary of the Jewish Federation of Western Mass about each of their views on approaching what one town can do to confront the ongoing struggles in Gaza.
There’s the correlation between a classic piece of American Fiction and one western Massachusetts woman’s lineage as well. Author Mickey Rathbun has just released “The Real Gatsby: George Gordon Moore-A Granddaughter's Memoir” about the very compelling correlation between the work of fiction and the real-life story of her grandfather. We chat about discovering this story and what those parallels mean to her today. 
And there’s sequels of course, even when they aren’t really sequels. Which is to say that Mr. Universe, Hampshire College’s Salman Hameed, saw Dune this weekend and has some thoughts to share on the subject.

We chat with local author Mickey Rathbun about her new memoir examining her family's ties to a book in the American canon, discuss the new Dune movie with Salman Hameed, and talk with two organizations with differing opinions about the Amherst ceasefire resolution that'll be put up to vote this evening. 

March 4, 2024: In Pairs


        We drink Croatian wine with winemaker Kreso Petrekovic, take a tour of the Dr. Seuss exhibits at Springfield Museums as they gear up for celebrations honoring his birthday, welcome back the Northampton Record Fair with organizer Justin Cohen, and have a harmonious Live Music Friday with the trio Eavesdrop
      

March 1st, 2024: Celebrated returns

It's the 320th anniversary of the Deerfield Raid, but much has been learned about the incident in the intervening years.

So we speak with author and historian James Swanson who has just released a new book about this moment in early American history. “The Deerfield Massacre: A Surprise Attack, a Forced March, and the Fight for Survival in Early America”. Before he comes to Deerfield Academy this weekend to speak about the book, he chats with us about some of the details surrounding the event, how it’s been portrayed over the course of American History, and some parallels we might note to global events.

And we see some of the items he mentions at Deerfield’s Memorial Hall Museum. In addition to bringing Swanson to speak about the incident on March 3rd, they’ve just updated their exhibit to be more inclusive of the many people and voices involved. It all still surrounds the one surviving door of the conflict, and we chat with curator Ray Radigan and curatorial assistant Lindsay Kruzlic about the shifts in perspective and how those get represented in their many displays.

Plus our weekly chat with congressman Jim McGovern sees the representative beset with a series of delays causing much consternation.

It's the 320th anniversary of the Deerfield Raid, but much has been learned about the incident in the intervening years.
So we speak with author and historian James Swanson who has just released a new book about this moment in early American history. “The Deerfield Massacre: A Surprise Attack, a Forced March, and the Fight for Survival in Early America”. Before he comes to Deerfield Academy this weekend to speak about the book, he chats with us about some of the details surrounding the event, how it’s been portrayed over the course of American History, and some parallels we might note to global events.
And we see some of the items he mentions at Deerfield’s Memorial Hall Museum. In addition to bringing Swanson to speak about the incident on March 3rd, they’ve just updated their exhibit to be more inclusive of the many people and voices involved. It all still surrounds the one surviving door of the conflict, and we chat with curator Ray Radigan and curatorial assistant Lindsay Kruzlic about the shifts in perspective and how those get represented in their many displays.
Plus our weekly chat with congressman Jim McGovern sees the representative beset with a series of delays causing much consternation.

 We chat with author James Swanson who's just released a book about the Deerfield Raid, and with Ray Radigan and Lindsay Kruzlic of the Memorial Hall Museum in Deerfield who have recently updated their exhibit on the conflict, and our weekly chat with Rep. Jim McGovern is beset with delays. 

February 29, 2024: A long shift

It is absolutely the time to explore the idea of freedom.

This is especially true for us here in Massachusetts; a place that has always had a connection to the pursuit of liberty but also a much murkier connection to the legacy of enslavement. We chat with local historian Cliff McCarthy, who has participated in some of the local initiatives to recover more of these histories including <a href="https://freedomstoriespv.wordpress.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Freedom Stories of the Pioneer Valley</a>, about some figures that are tied to the specific black history of Western Mass.

It’s the whole conceit behind the recent exhibit at the <a href="https://artmuseum.williams.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Williams College Museum of Art</a>. We continue our exploration of <a href="https://artmuseum.williams.edu/emancipation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation</a> with curator Destinee Filmore and see how history has been interwoven throughout the collection, and question how color and stance can both influence how we see ourselves, and how we free ourselves.

And Word Nerd Emily Brewster, senior editor at <a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Merriam-Webster</a>, takes a gander at a listener question about graciousness as it seems in the modern era, people have liberated themselves from the phrase “You’re Welcome” .

It is absolutely the time to explore the idea of freedom.
This is especially true for us here in Massachusetts; a place that has always had a connection to the pursuit of liberty but also a much murkier connection to the legacy of enslavement. We chat with local historian Cliff McCarthy, who has participated in some of the local initiatives to recover more of these histories including Freedom Stories of the Pioneer Valley, about some figures that are tied to the specific black history of Western Mass.
It’s the whole conceit behind the recent exhibit at the Williams College Museum of Art. We continue our exploration of Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation with curator Destinee Filmore and see how history has been interwoven throughout the collection, and question how color and stance can both influence how we see ourselves, and how we free ourselves.
And Word Nerd Emily Brewster, senior editor at Merriam-Webster, takes a gander at a listener question about graciousness as it seems in the modern era, people have liberated themselves from the phrase “You’re Welcome” .

We learn about less known figures of local black history with local historian Cliff McCarthy, get gracious with Word Nerd Emily Brewster and a listener question about the phrase "You're welcome", and continue our tour of the exhibit "Emancipation" with curator Destinee Filmore at the Williams College Museum of Art. 

February 28, 2024: Emancipation welcomes you. 


        We get a sneak peek of CISA's upcoming event Field Notes with Tessa White Diemand of Diemand Farms in Wendell, look at the intersections of the humanities and environmental work with professor Malcom Sen of UMass, and take a tour of the exhibit "Emancipation" at the Williams College Museum of Art with curator Destinee Filmore.
      

February 27, 2024: The freedom of overlap


        We take a glance at the Point/Counterpoint speaker series with moderator professor Ilan Stavans, hear about a corporate lunar landing and what that could mean for the future of the moon with Mr. Universe, and head to Pittfield to get a taste of the Carribean at the newest eatery on North St.: BB's Hot Spot. 
      

We take a glance at the Point/Counterpoint speaker series with moderator professor Ilan Stavans, hear about a corporate lunar landing and what that could mean for the future of the moon with Mr. Universe, and head to Pittfield to get a taste of the Carribean at the newest eatery on North St.: BB's Hot Spot. 

February 26, 2024: Flavorful language landing


        We take Live Music Friday on the road to hang out with punk rock duo Film & Gender, check out a new fabric store in Holyoke that's on a mission to conserve both broadway and hollywood fabrics and your clothes, hear about CSA week with CISA and Mark Rutkowski of Rivershed Farm, and make our own birthday-styled Wine Thunderdome.
      

February 23, 2024: Paper CSA Punk


        We hear about the two events happening in Greenfield this weekend centered around the Rights to Nature movement with Dian Dix of the Nolumbeka Project and Livia Charles of Western Mass Rights to Nature, and hang out with another Amherst College alum who's headed back to campus for LitFest this weekend, Brown University professor Lisa Biggs. 
      

We hear about the two events happening in Greenfield this weekend centered around the Rights to Nature movement with Dian Dix of the Nolumbeka Project and Livia Charles of Western Mass Rights to Nature, and hang out with another Amherst College alum who's headed back to campus for LitFest this weekend, Brown University professor Lisa Biggs. 

February 22, 2024: Untold reclaimation (a.k.a. Happy Birthday to us) 


        We head to Umass' exhibition that combines art, science, Indigenous HIstory and more with Interim director of Umass Contemporary Art Museum Amanda Herman, start a new pursuit in the name of marginalized local history with professor Ousmane Power-Green, and get up close and particular with pronouns and Word Nerd Emily Brewster.
      